Justin Miller May Be Dodgers’ Odd Man Out

With Vicente Padilla about to return from the DL, Jon Weisman of ESPNLosAngeles.com believes the most likely victim of the roster shuffle will be right-hander Justin Miller. Weisman raises the possibility that the Dodgers could put another pitcher on the DL with a semi-trumped up injury, but it seems as though the out-of-options Miller could be designated for assignment once Padilla is healthy.

Miller signed a minor league contract with L.A. in December, and has pitched well since joining the Dodgers on May 27. The righty has a 3.48 ERA and a K-BB ratio of 5.00 in seven appearances, and has been a solid bullpen arm for the Dodgers, Giants and Marlins over the last four seasons; from 2007-2010, Miller's has 163 strikeouts in 175.1 innings and a 3.64 ERA. There's a good chance that a reliever-starved team like Arizona might put a claim on Miller should the Dodgers indeed designate him.

That would be an interesting experiment, especially if the Dodgers get him for near to no salary. He would be a good power hitting pinch hitting option, cuz G.A. and Belliard are just not getting it done as pinch hitters. If this move were to happen the Dodgers would then have to cut Anderson for the roster spot. Also that would be 3 back-up infielders for the Dodgers.